Eric Friedman
25 Years of Community Volunteer & Public Service
Experience in Service
Trader Joe’s
2017 - Present
Eric has worked as a grocery clerk at Trader Joe’s for nearly 9 years, including throughout Covid as an essential front-line worker.
Santa Barbara City Council
January 2018 – Present
Is the Council champion for investment in public safety, innovation for affordable housing creation, fiscal responsibility, library services, climate adaptation and sustainability and emergency preparedness and response.
Council Leadership and Committee Roles
Finance Committee 2018 - Present; Current Chair
Central Coast Water Authority 2018 to present; Chair 2019 - Present
Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourshment; Current Chair
Sea Level Rise Adaptation Committee
Long Range Development Oversight Committee
Homeless Adhoc Committee
Airport Commission Liaison
Sustainability Committee
Legislative Committee
Library Board Liaison
Harbor Commissioner 2009-2013
City Library Advisory Board 2004-2014
California League of Cities
President Channel Counties Division 2025 - Present
Coastal Cities Group Appointee – past Chair
Coastal Commission Local Government Working Group 2020 - Present
Environmental Quality Policy Subcommittee
Ocean Protection Council State Sea Level Rise Collaborative
Appointed as Local Government Representative to the Ocean Protection Council State Sea Level Rise Collaborative. The Collaborative is comprised of 17 state agencies that work together to identify and implement solutions to Sea Level Rise that are rooted in science and collaboration with local governments.
County Board of Supervisors staff assistant
2002-2016
Served as a staff assistant to the First District Supervisors office. Focused on constituent responsiveness and transparency. Policy areas included environmental sustainability, housing and homelessness, mental health services, veterans services, library funding, and engagement with the Carpinteria Valley.
Staff member on President Obama’s State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience.
Intern – State Senator Jack O’Connell
2002
Policy Successes:
Proposed and led the effort to create the Local Housing Trust Fund. The LHFT the most pro-affordable housing policy tools adopted by Council. Eric’s leadership led to the creation of the fund and an initial allocation of $3M without adding to the deficit through the responsible use of one-time surplus funding.
Library Plaza Renovation – secured funding from the City to finalize the design of library plaza and solidify the public private partnership with the Library Foundation that led to over $5M in private funding to transform into the award-winning Michael Towbes Library Plaza.
Family Summer Nights – Led the effort on Council to partner with the School District to create Family Summer Nights over two consecutive summers. This was a joint effort between the City, School District and Boys and Girls club to provide safe and enriching family activities on the East and West side of Santa Barbara during the summer months.
Proposed the Pension Trust Fund in collaboration with Finance Director to address the City’s unfunded pension liability.
New Police Station – made the motion to move forward with the new Police Station. When complete, the new station will improve public safety by modernizing our infrastructure, enhance transparency and accountability, provide new opportunities for recruitment and retention and enable affordable housing creation at the former police station site.
Coastal Commission Collaboration on “Neighborhood Approach” to coastal planning. As a member of the Coastal Commission Local Government Working Group, Eric worked with colleagues from throughout the state and the Coastal Commission to develop the Neighborhood Approach to coastal planning that allows for local flexibility to solve unique challenges while maintaining statewide consistency.
Community Volunteer Service and Experience
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Youth Mentor Task Force
Fomer mentor to 5 youth and served as Chair of the Task Force. 2007 Mentor of the Year recognition.
CALM Board Member
Served on the Board of CALM for six years including on the Executive Committee. A primary achievement during this time was CALM expanding services into North County to reach underserved children and families needing child abuse and prevention services.
Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation Board Member
Eric is a Past President of the Foundation. He worked to establish the Foundation as a partner with the City for capital improvements to the Central and East Side Libraries. This led to nearly $10M raised toward the creation of the Children’s Library and Library Plaza renovation.
Westside Boys and Girls Club Advisory Board
Worked to secure funding and sustainable programming for children attending the Westside Boys and Girls Club.
CASA Esperanza Board Member
Focused on emergency shelter services for homeless individuals to help individuals to gain stability in the immediate short-term. Casa Esperanza also provided supportive services, job training connections and other support services to assist individuals working toward economic self-sufficiency.
Surfrider Foundation
Served on the Executive Committee of the Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Chapter. While on the Exec Committee Surfrider successfully stopped a golf course from being developed on the Gaviota Coast. Surfrider constantly fought to protect affordable public access to the coast, opposed offshore oil development, and worked to enhance education for our youth.
Pierrie Claeyssens Veterans Foundation Board Member
Current Board Member to the Foundation that focuses on Veterans Advocacy and raising awareness on issues affecting veterans. The Foundation also hosts the Memorial Day and Veterans Day community ceremonies in partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Education
Master’s Public Administration – Cal State Northridge
B.A. History – University of Notre Dame
Leading from Within – Emerging Leaders Program